Adelaide live music and theatre venue The Soul Box has closed down, forcing a number of Cabaret Fringe shows to find an alternative performance space ahead of next week’s festival opening.
The West End venue’s manager confirmed to InDaily yesterday that it had been “dismantled”, but did not want to make any immediate comment on the reasons why.
The Soul Box described itself as an “independently owned multi-arts centre” and had an audience capacity of around 80 to 90, seated cabaret-style.
It had operated for three-and-a-half years at 252 Hindley Street and was a popular Adelaide Fringe venue, being nominated as one of the top four Fringe venues in 2012 and 2014. It also held weekly Friday Night Fever events featuring a varied line-up of musicians, comedians and other performers, and was available for hire for workshops and functions.
Cabaret Fringe Festival organisers said they were contacted around the middle of last week by The Soul Box management , which said it had one week to leave the premises.
“Due to circumstances beyond its control, The Soul Box will no longer be able to act as a venue at this year’s Cabaret Fringe Festival,” says a message on the festival’s website.
“If you have purchased a ticket to an event at The Soul Box, please hold onto it. We will be in touch with ticket holders shortly to advise them of the new arrangements for the affected events.”
Six Cabaret Fringe shows had been scheduled to take place at the venue, including The Soul Box Variety Gala, which has now been cancelled.
A festival spokesperson said four of the shows – Marduk Flamenco’s Pasos, Candy Chambers: 50 Forever, Confessions of a Vocal Instructor and Lucky Lady Casino Cabaret – have now been moved to Nexus Cabaret, at the Lion Arts Centre. To Diva or Not to Diva, featuring Tahlia Ries and Emma Knights, is still seeking an alternative venue.
Cabaret Fringe performers from Berlin Cabaret and (far right) Candy Chambers.
The open-access Cabaret Fringe opens next Friday night with a gala hosted by the stars of Berlin Cabaret at The German Club. Running until June 28, the festival will comprise 42 events at venues including La Boheme, Nexus and The Promethean.
Paul Boylon, Cabaret Fringe Festival founder and co-owner of La Boheme, said smaller performing arts venues walked a fine line when it came to being accessible for artists but also ensuring their own financial viability.
Asked what the closure of The Soul Box meant for the Adelaide arts scene, he said: “It was another venue that made it viable for artists to create work … especially cabaret, where it’s not just a matter of having a sound system but also having lighting and a bit of intimacy within a venue.
“It just means there’s one less venue for people wanting to put on that kind of show.”
The closure comes at a time when the State Government has been actively working to cut red tape for entertainment venues in a bid to boost the live music scene.
MusicSA is currently surveying venues to get a picture of the state of the live music scene, and is also investigating the challenges they face.
Related stories:
Berlin Cabaret re-form for CabFringe gala
Govt to cut live music red tape
